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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wwyd - aibu - visitors

45 replies

Puzzle500 · 05/11/2020 06:56

Be really grateful for views. Can't work out if I'm over worried, or harsh.
5 weeks ago an absent flat owner in our building had some "friends" arrive for a weeks visit. We have a no short term let agreement here but loaning flat for a week seemed okay.

5 weeks on - family still here, 4 children who do not attend school, and now haven't left for lockdown.

Other flat owners have politely indicated to absent owner he is in breach of leasehold and now in breach of lockdown but he isn't responding, and clearly doesn't care

I'm cross - perhaps unreasonably - about those who think it's okay to ignore the rules. I could report it as a covid breach but is that fair on the family, when I suspect it's owner who is the one illegally letting?

OP posts:
Hugosmugo · 05/11/2020 07:19

I'd personally leave it for now to be honest. It could be family members who desperately needed somewhere to stay. So many people have lost jobs this year, they could be staying there for free.

Twickerhun · 05/11/2020 07:22

I get annoyed with most rule breakers but I couldn’t get upset at this as a breach of covid rules. If it’s a breach of tenancy rules then get who ever to investigate and check

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 05/11/2020 07:25

If they’re not in an empty flat I can’t see how it’s a Covid breach. It may be against leasehold rules but to be honest if they own the flat then I can’t see a leaseholder doing anything about it. Is it really affecting you in any way other than being slightly irked by potential rule breaking (lease)?

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 05/11/2020 07:33

That should say in an empty flat

BameChange123 · 05/11/2020 07:37

Is it being run as an Air BNB?

TiersTiersTiers · 05/11/2020 07:37

I am more worried that the children are not attending school. How big is the flat? Four children and how many adults? Are they well looked after...etc etc...

Northofsomewhere · 05/11/2020 07:38

Could they be subletting? They could be new tenants who are completely unaware they're breaking the leasing agreement. If they've basically moved in there I wouldn't have an issue with it in terms of covid lockdown but would be a little concerned they don't go to school if they seemed vulnerable in other ways but otherwise also wouldn't be worried.
You and your neighbours seem very involved in what goes on in the other flats. Surely as long as they aren't being distributive and breaking other lockdown rules (such as having lots of guests over ) then it's really nothing to do with you. If the original tenant is breaking any rules they will eventually be found out.

DDiva · 05/11/2020 07:39

Sounds like it might be against their tenancy but not necessarily a breach of the covid rules. You know nothing of this families situation, they could have no where else to go and you want them evicted !

Svelteinmydreams · 05/11/2020 07:41

Agree with North; it doesn’t sound like you know the reason, nor is it your business, unless there are signs that children are uncared for etc.

BendingSpoons · 05/11/2020 07:44

I don't think it's a massive COVID breach. If they are staying a long time then it is their current home, rather than a holiday. The no schools thing doesn't mean that much, as it can take ages to get a place.

It probably is against your lease terms, although if this is a longer term rental, could permission have been granted? I guess it depends how much it is impacting you. Are they being annoying in some way for everyone to notice? I wouldn't be that bothered unless they are being antisocial. If you are bothered, you really need to report it to your leaseholder and let them deal with it.

WeeDangerousSpike · 05/11/2020 07:44

At 5 weeks in it sounds like these people may be renting the flat as their home, so as far as they are concerned it's not breaking lockdown rules. They may well have nowhere else to go. I'm not saying it's right, but something to consider perhaps before you try to get them out? If they have a valid tenancy agreement (which I think only needs for them to be paying rent, no paperwork necessary) and nowhere else to go it would be a long process. It's not their fault if the 'landlord' has lied to them, so I don't think the leasehold rules would affect the length of time it would take.

Mummyoflittledragon · 05/11/2020 07:44

It’s a family in an otherwise empty flat. My question is, would it in any way invalidate your insurance. If not, I would leave it for now. The children may be being homeschooled. The only time I would get involved at this stage is in the case of neglect etc. Have you spoken to the family at all?

Original poster
Puzzle500 · 05/11/2020 07:45

Thanks. Sorry I should have said more honestly, I'm mostly irritated because of the noise, lack of respect for the building and takeaways arriving at midnight and waking us up! Would be less bothered if they were no issue. But recognise what people say

OP posts:
user1493413286 · 05/11/2020 07:46

I’m not sure I follow how it’s a covid breach; in terms of subletting I don’t think I could get too worked up about it unless they were causing a problem

WeeDangerousSpike · 05/11/2020 07:46

Also lots of parents have registered for homeschooling due to covid.

seayork2020 · 05/11/2020 07:47

If they were being noisy, making a mess, being rude etc. I would complain in the normal way.

If I had genuine concerns for the children I would report to the relevant authorities.

On being there alone then I would keep my nose out of what is no business of mine

Sobeyondthehills · 05/11/2020 08:07

@Puzzle500

Thanks. Sorry I should have said more honestly, I'm mostly irritated because of the noise, lack of respect for the building and takeaways arriving at midnight and waking us up! Would be less bothered if they were no issue. But recognise what people say
Basically not a breach of anything but you thought the mention of Covid might get more frothing?

As others have asked, what rules are they breaking?

letsgoandtango · 05/11/2020 08:10

Why didn't you say about the noise etc in your OP? If that's bothering you, politely ask them to keep it down, then escalate as necessary. The "covid breach" argument (which btw doesn't seem to apply here) and the leasehold thing (none of your business) are red herrings.

Mummyoflittledragon · 05/11/2020 08:20

The noise is an issue and needs to be documented. Your local council should be able to give you advice on that. If there is damage happening, contact the leaseholder of the building, or is it the leaseholder, who’s ignoring you?

FlouncerInDenial · 05/11/2020 08:21

@TiersTiersTiers

I am more worried that the children are not attending school. How big is the flat? Four children and how many adults? Are they well looked after...etc etc...
That was my thought too.

what age children?

Sargass0 · 05/11/2020 08:23

What a horrible, sneaky, disingenuous post

Heyahun · 05/11/2020 08:23

Nothing you can do just leave it.

There’s an air bnb in my building that’s against the lease hold -

I complained a bunch of times as there’s been awful people staying there leaving rubbish lying around, one time a group of lads were shouting at me from the balcony and then I was afraid to bloody enter my own building in case they met me in the lift or something?

Anyway it’s 5 years later and nothings been done except the management company said we have sent a letter to the leaseholder tell them to stop?

Good thing is it’s been empty for months now - guess not many people coming to London for holidays at the moment 😂

BloggersBlog · 05/11/2020 08:26

Covid doesn't apply here, but tenancy breaching is a fair point. Plus the noise, they aren't trying to live under the radar are they and respect others.
I'd report it due to the noise

Sh05 · 05/11/2020 08:29

Address the factors that are affecting you as you would with any neighbour and that's it.
If they're living in an otherwise empty property then there's no covid breach.
Leave the landlord of the building to deal with the rest

canigooutyet · 05/11/2020 08:37

No Covid rules breached. They arrived before lockdown, and they haven't moved in with other people.
The children might be getting home schooled or even between schools if they aren't local, and waiting for the LEA to allocate schools.

Maybe they aren't on a short term stay, and you weren't told this because it's none of your business,

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